The Rehoboth Art League (RAL) will present its 76th Annual Cottage Tour on Tuesday, July 7, and Wednesday, July 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. This beloved summer tradition offers visitors a rare opportunity to step inside some of the area’s most distinctive homes while supporting one of the region’s most treasured arts organizations.
This year’s tour will feature six private residences, along with the historic Peter Marsh Homestead. Built in 1738, the Homestead was once home to the Corkran family, founders of the Rehoboth Art League. Together, the six homes and the Homestead showcase a diverse range of architectural styles and designs that reflect the character of the Rehoboth area. Tour guests can expect to see everything from a classic Rehoboth Beach cottage to an eclectic new build and a historically significant estate.
Take a peek at 3 of the homes on tour:
Adding to the experience, each room of the Homestead will be transformed by a local interior designer, offering visitors fresh inspiration and creative ideas.
This year’s featured Cottage Tour artist is Delaware oil painter Shawn Faust. Faust created paintings of each home featured on the tour, and those works will be presented to the homeowners as a special keepsake. Images of the paintings are available on the Rehoboth Art League website and will also appear in the official Cottage Tour program booklet, which serves as the event ticket.
Shawn Faust is not just an artist, but a custodian of nature’s beauty. With an unyielding respect and deep reverence for the natural world, he channels his lifelong fascination with perception into remarkable works of art.
According to Kelly Wells of the Rehoboth Art League, planning the Cottage Tour is truly a year-round effort.
“The Cottage Tour Committee is a group of dedicated volunteers who work alongside RAL staff nearly year-round to plan the tour,” Wells said. “Homes are often recommended by past homeowners, members of the committee, or by homeowners themselves who reach out with interest in being showcased.”
Once a home is suggested, staff and committee members visit the property and meet with the homeowners to determine whether it would be a good fit for the tour.
There are no strict requirements for home selection. Instead, organizers focus on choosing homes that will interest and inspire attendees. Wells noted that each homeowner brings a unique style to the tour.
“The homeowners’ décor varies greatly but is deeply personal, showcasing memories and collections in ways we’re certain will be appreciated by attendees,” she said.
The Cottage Tour began in 1949, when Art League founder Louise Corkran distributed handwritten descriptions of featured homes. Over the decades, it has grown into the organization’s longest-running fundraiser and one of its most anticipated annual events.
“As the Rehoboth community and its homes have evolved, patrons enjoy following that development and seeing the ways homeowners preserve local history while showcasing their own private collections,” Wells said. “Whether they’re looking for inspiration for their own homes or simply stopping by to admire, there is something for everyone.”
Hosting the Cottage Tour is a major community effort. More than 250 volunteers help make the event possible each year. Every home is staffed by volunteer docents from local civic organizations, including the Village Improvement Association, CAMP Rehoboth, Clear Space, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Rehoboth Art League volunteers also provide support throughout the event.
Tickets are available now for $40 and may be purchased online through July 8 at RehobothArtLeague.org. Tickets purchased online must be picked up at the Rehoboth Art League galleries, located at 12 Dodds Lane, on or after June 30. Visitors should note that admission is not permitted without the official event booklet.
Beginning June 30, tickets will also be available for purchase in person at the Rehoboth Art League galleries and at select vendors throughout the region. A limited number of tickets will be sold at the entrance of each home during the tour.
Because parking is limited at the featured homes, RAL will provide complimentary trolley service. Free parking will be available at Rehoboth Elementary School, located at 500 Stockley Street. The Jolly Trolley will operate continuous loops to all tour locations beginning at 9:45 a.m. on both days.
For more information about the Cottage Tour and other Rehoboth Art League programs and events, visit RehobothArtLeague.org.
By Mary Jo Tarallo, Resident Journalist
Mary Jo Tarallo spent much of her career in public relations with various non-profits and spent 40 years involved with the ski industry as a journalist, public relations director for a national trade association and as executive director of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard initiative. Prior to her ski industry involvement she worked for the Maryland International Center in Baltimore and United Way of Central Maryland. She won a Gold Award for TV programming for a United Way simulcast that starred Oprah Winfrey. She has been cited for her work by numerous organizations. Mary Jo grew up in Baltimore, attended the University of Maryland and Towson University, lived in Washington, DC for 21 years and has been a full time resident of Rehoboth Beach and Milton since May 2019.
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